Arch support



NOV. 27, 1934. E, E 1,981,998

ARCH SUPPORT Filed June 21, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l E. FREI ARCH SUPPORTNov. 27, 1934.

Filed June 21, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIIIIIIIIIII,/,,

Patented Nov. 27, 1934 resists UNITED STATES PAT'ENT OFFICE ARCH SUPPORTElisabeth Frei, Zurich, Switzerland Application June 21, 1932, SerialNo. 618,527

1 Claim.

My invention has for its object to provide an arch support for insertionin a shoe, the support having pockets with openings, through which pads,inserts or fillers may be inserted to correct 5 the position of the footand thereby relieve the foot from abnormal strains and assist inremedying ailments.

The main object of the invention is to provide an arch support adaptedto be accommodated to a heel defect of the person.

Another object of my invention is to provide means to allow the heelsupport and a rigid support to be adjusted each independently of theother, the part uniting said two supports being flexible to allow atwisting of one part relative to the other.

Other objects and practical advantages of the invention will be fullyunderstood from the fol- I lowing description and claim, when the sameare read in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part ofthis specification in which Fig. 1 is a plan of a support. Fig. 2 is aside elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is a detail plan of a pad for use in adjusting the heel.

Fig. 4 is a plan of a modified form of my improved arch support.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 6 is an inverted plan of another modified form of the same.

Fig. 7 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the same.

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view of the heel portion of the same.

Fig. 9 is an inverted plan of another modified form of my improved archsupport.

Fig. 10 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view 40 of the same.

Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional view of the same.

Fig. 12 is an inverted plan of another modified form of my improved archsupport.

Fig. 13 is a similar View of another modified form of my improved archsupport.

By referring to the drawings Figs. 1 to 3 it will be seen that there isan upper sole 1 of leather, which extends under the foot at the heel andthe 50 instep, the upper sole extending if desired forwardly to the toesof the foot. To the sole 1 a lower sole 2 of soft leather is connectedby stitching 3 and 4. Two pockets 5 and 6 are formed by said soles. Inthe pocket 6 an insert '7 of stiff 55.n1aterial for instance metal isinserted, adapted first example of the arch of the foot. The insert, '7has end which projects into the pocket 5 below a pad 9 adapted tosupport'the metatarsals. The lateral contraction of the toe end of theinsert 7 forming the head permits flex 69:1 ing of said insert '7, whenwalking. The heel portion consists of the hind ends of the soles 1 and2, the latter are flexible and allow the adjustment of the heel portionwithout interfering with the instep or arch portion. Between the heelportions of the soles 1 and 2 a pad 12 '(or two as shown in broken linesin Fig.13) may be inserted to support parts of the heel. I Itwillbe'understood that the pads and inserts may be made of any desired shapeand any desired number may be used. 3

to support the arch a head 8 at its toe The position of the pads in thepockets may be change'das the case may require, but if the pads 12 arereadjusted the position of the insert 7 will not be interfered with andvice-versa.

The device shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is very similar to that described inFig. 1. It shows an arch support comprising an upper sole 15 and a lowersole 16. Both parts are united by stitchings 1'7. Both parts 15 and 16have lugs 15', 16, projecting upwardly, by which the arch support may behandled. Between the parts 15, 16 pockets 21, 22 are formed byintermediate walls 23, 24. In said walls the supporting pads 21, 22 23may be inserted. At the toe end the pad to support the metatarsals maybe inserted by means of a slot 851 in the well known manner. The heelend of the arch support extends below the heel of the wearer and thispart forms a pocket 18, into which the heel supporting pads of suitablematerial may be inserted.

The metallic insert 19 projects up to said pocket 18. By inserting thepads in said pocket 18, the position of the metallic insert 19 and ofall other adjustable pads is not interfered with. The heel portion beingof flexible material adjusts itselfindependently of any adjustment ofthe insert 19.

The device shown in Figs. 6 and '7 and 8 comprises an upper sole 26 ofleather and a metallic plate 25, the two parts being shaped to sustainthe arch of the foot. The two parts are united by rivets 2'7. The uppersole 26 projects beyond the metallic plate 25 up to the heel. At the toeend a piece of soft leather 29 is fixed, which is attached to the uppersole and which forms a pocket with said upper sole to receive the pad 29of the metatarsals. To support the heel an insert 30 is arranged, whichbeing of flexible material does not stiffen the heel portion. The lattermay retain its position, if the metallic plate is reshaped, or ifinserts or 25,26 are inserted.

Another device is shown in Figs. 9 to 11. To

fillers between thev parts an upper sole 32 of leather a lower sole 38of soft material is united by stitchings 36 as shown in Fig. 9. Theparts 32, 38 form a pocket to receive a metallic insert 34, which isshaped to conform to the arch of the foot. To said metallic plate 34 aflap 35 is attached by rivets 33. The flap, up to the heel consists ofpliable, flexible material, for instance of India rubber. Between saidflap 35 and the heel portion of the sole 32, inserts or the like may beplaced. The toe end of the metallic plate 34 restsontheprotectingstrip39 of vulcanized fibre. The pad 37 is provided to support themetatarsals. The heel support may be shaped in any convenient manner.

In Fig. 1 2 a further, modified construction is shown. To the metallicarch support a heel portion is aflixed by means of rivets 41. The

part 42 is of .fiexible material, for instance of India rubber, leatheror vulcanized fibre, and supporting pieces may be aflixed thereto by anymeans, preferably by adhesives. 1 A front portion of the metallic archsupport is covered by the cap 43, consisting of two parts of leatherunited by stitchings, and forms with said plate 40 the pocket to receivepads, the pad 45 which may .be inserted and adjusted by the slot 46. Toattach the cap to the plate 40 a lug 44 is provided at one wall of thecap 43 After the insertion of the plate 40 in said pocket, the lug 44 isfoldedover and afiixed to the other wallof the pocket.

In Fig. 13 a further simplified construction is shown in plan view. Themetallic plate 48 is afllxed by rivets 49 tothe sole 50 of leather orthelike .The sole 50 projects below the heel of the wearer. Between thesole 50 and the metallic plate 48. supporting pads 51, 52, 53 may beinserted.

In all constructions shown the edges of the, metallic plate are roundedand slightly bent on at the toe end, to prevent any damage and wear ofthe inner sole of the boot.

In all constructions shownit is taken, that the metallic plate does notproject beyond the heel and in all constructions the projections belowthe heel may consist of India rubber and be shaped to give the heel agood elastic bearing. The metallic plate itself may be shaped in anyconvenient manner to suit the foot. The support itself does notinterfere with the normal walking.

I have specifically described the preferred embodiment of the inventionin order to impart an exact understanding of said embodiment. I do notdesire, however, to be understood as confining myself to theconstruction disclosed inasmuch as the scope of my invention is definedby my appended claim within which changes or modifications may be madewithout departure from my invention. 7 I

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

In an arch support, a body member for disposal under the arch of thefoot, and comprising an upper sole of leathena lower sole of soft material, united at opposite sides by stitchings to said upper sole, sothat a pocket is formed between them, a metallic insert in said pocket,adapted to supportthe arch of the foot, and a flexible heel portionunited to said metallic insert and extending rearwardly therefrom and under the heel portion of the upper sole.

ELISABETH FREI.

